Environmentally friendly acid neutralizing full flow cartridge

ABSTRACT

An environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge is adapted to be mounted in a cartridge mounting body of an engine oil circuit for filtering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil. The filter cartridge comprises a support housing that comprises substantially no metal parts such that the filter cartridge can be readily incinerated. A full flow particulate filter and a bypass particulate filter are arranged in the support housing. A bed of acid neutralizing particles is contained in the support housing. The housing is configured such that a predetermined primary flow path is defined through the filter cartridge that passes through the full flow particulate filter and bypassing the bed of acid neutralizing particles; and a predetermined bypass path is defined through the filter cartridge that passes, in sequence, through the bed of acid neutralizing particles and the bypass particulate filter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/387,240, filed Jun. 7, 2002, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/387,235 filed Jun. 7, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for neutralizingacid in fluid circulating systems. More particularly, the invention isdirected toward an apparatus for removing acids from lubrication oil inoil circulating systems such as the oil systems associated with a dieselengine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heavy duty diesel engine life, or time to rebuild, has historically beenlinked directly to piston ring, cylinder liner and/or crank shaftbearing life (referred to as “bearings” for sake of simplicity). Enginedesign parameters require that these engine components be lubricated,typically with a film lubricant of oil separating these enginecomponents to prevent or minimize direct metal to metal contact. Withoil lubricating these bearing surfaces, the principal mechanismassociated with engine wear is not metal to metal contact or frictionalwear. Instead the primary diesel engine wear component influencingengine life is corrosive wear caused by sulfur and nitrogen containingacids that are formed as products of combustion. One estimate is thatmore than 70% of heavy duty diesel engine wear is caused by suchcombustion acid metal corrosion.

Control of diesel engine corrosive wear has historically beenaccomplished through the inclusion of basic or alkaline chemicalsdissolved or suspended in the engine oil that are used to rapidlyneutralize combustion acid upon contact with the acid molecules. Therehave been proposals in the prior art to release alkaline or basicchemicals into the oil or otherwise neutralize acids utilizing a housingarranged along an oil circuit such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,459,074 to Muoni; U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,258 to Lefebvre et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 5,068,044 to Brownawell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,799 toBrownawell et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,081 to Brownawell et al.

Any attempt at implementing acid neutralizing technology into acommercial practical engine oil circuit needs to accommodate severalimportant factors while at the same time providing a sufficientlyinexpensive filter cartridge for maintenance intervals to make itcommercially practical for fleet managers and the like. As will beappreciated with an understanding of the present invention, these issueshave not heretofore been adequately satisfied by the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward an environmentally friendlyacid neutralizing filter cartridge for mounting in a cartridge mountingbody of an engine oil circuit for filtering particulates andneutralizing acid in oil. The filter cartridge comprises a supporthousing adapted to be mounted in the cartridge mounting body. Thesupport housing comprises substantially no metal parts such that thefilter cartridge can be readily incinerated. A full flow particulatefilter and a bypass particulate filter are arranged in the supporthousing. A bed of acid neutralizing particles is contained in thesupport housing. The housing is configured such that a predeterminedprimary flow path is defined through the filter cartridge that passesthrough the full flow particulate filter and bypassing the bed of acidneutralizing particles; and a predetermined bypass path is definedthrough the filter cartridge that passes, in sequence, through the bedof acid neutralizing particles and the bypass particulate filter.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed toward anenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge forfiltering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil in which theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter comprisingsubstantially no metal parts such that the support housing can be morecompletely incinerated. The filter cartridge comprises top and bottomnonmetallic end caps. A generally cylindrical full flow particulatefilter is secured axially between the top and bottom end caps. Anonmetallic reactor body extends axially between the top and bottom endcaps. The reactor body comprises a reactor chamber and a venturiconduit. The reactor chamber has at least one reactor inlet port and atleast one reactor outlet port. The venturi conduit includes aconstricted portion with the at least one outlet port arranged relativeto the constricted portion such that when fluid flows through theventuri conduit, fluid is drawn through the at least one reactor outletport. A bed of acid neutralizing particles is arranged in the reactorchamber between the at least one reactor inlet port and the at least onereactor outlet port. A second filter is arranged downstream of the bedof acid neutralizing particles for preventing acid neutralizingparticles from exiting the filter cartridge during use.

Another aspect of the present invention is also directed toward anenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge forfiltering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil. The environmentallyfriendly acid neutralizing filter comprises substantially no metal partssuch that the support housing can be more completely incinerated. Thefilter cartridge comprises top and bottom plastic end caps in which thebottom end cap defines a main outlet. A generally cylindrical full flowparticulate filter has opposed ends potted into the top and bottom endcaps respectively. A plastic reactor body also has opposed ends pottedinto the top and bottom end caps respectively. The plastic reactor bodyis arranged generally concentric within the generally cylindrical fullflow particulate filter such that an annular collection chamber isdefined therebetween. The plastic reactor body includes an annular outerwall portion, a central tube portion arranged generally concentricinside the annular outer wall portion to provide a reaction chamber, anda spacer portion. The central tube portion has a top opening spacedaxially from the top end cap and a bottom opening communicating with themain outlet. The spacer portion defines a radially extending fluidpassageway connecting the annular collection chamber with the topopening. The annular outer wall portion defines at least one reactorinlet port, and the central tube portion defines at least one reactoroutlet port. A constricted portion is arranged along the central tubeportion with the at least one reactor outlet port arranged along theconstricted portion such that when fluid flows through the center tubeportion, fluid is drawn through the at least one outlet port. A bed ofacid neutralizing particles is contained in the reactor chamber betweenthe at least one reactor inlet port and the at least one reactor outletport. Also, a bypass filter is arranged in reaction chamber between thebed of acid neutralizing particles and the at least one reactor outletport.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway isometric view of an environmentally friendly acidneutralizing full flow filter cartridge in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway isometric view of a venturi tube used in the filtercartridge shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a cutaway isometric view of a bypass filter element installedon a venturi tube used in the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway isometric view of a reactor housing having a bypassfilter element therein ready to be filled with acid neutralizing medium.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but with the reactor housing filledwith a bed of crushed limestone particles.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the additional component of areactor retaining cap installed.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway isometric view of the completed acid neutralizingreactor and full flow particulate filter joined to a bottom end cap.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but with a top end cap installed andjoined over the top ends of the reactor housing and full flowparticulate filter.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are an end view and cross sectional view taken about line10-10 of a completed environmentally friendly acid neutralizing fullflow cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the filter cartridge as installed in areusable cartridge mounting body of an engine oil circuit.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation showing how the filter cartridgeaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention is installed in anengine oil circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an environmentally friendly acid neutralizing fullflow filter cartridge 10 is illustrated in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The filter cartridge 10 is adaptedto be installed in a suitable cartridge mounting body 12 that may bepositioned along an engine oil circuit that will be later described.

Referring to the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 1, the support housingor structural components for the filter cartridge are made withsubstantially no metal support parts such that the filter cartridge canbe more completely incinerated for relatively complete disposal of spentfilter cartridges. The filter cartridge 10 includes top and bottom endcaps 14, 16 that are made of non-metallic material such as injectionmolded plastic or other suitable non-metallic material. The top end capincludes a plate or cover portion 18 and a downwardly depending radialskirt 20. Preferably a handle 22 is integrally provided along the topsurface of the top end cap 14 to facilitate easy grasping and removaland insertion of the filter cartridge into the cartridge mounting body12 during maintenance service intervals. The bottom end cap alsoincludes a generally plate-shaped portion 24 and an upwardly extendingouter peripheral cylindrical skirt 26. The top and bottom end capsgenerally encapsulate the ends of the filter cartridge and provide endsupports for other filter components extending therebetween.

A full flow particulate filter element 28 is arranged axially betweenthe top and bottom end caps 14, 16. the full flow particulate filterelement 28 includes a cylindrical tube of filter media 30 which may bepleated filter paper media, a depth filtration tube, synthetic filtermedia, glass filter media or a blend thereof, or other suitable filtermedia. In the disclosed embodiment, the top and bottom ends of thecylindrical tube of filter media 38 are potted to the top and bottom endcaps 14, 16 with suitable potting material such as plastisol, epoxy,urethane, hot melt or other suitable bonding material. The filterelement 28 also includes a perforated inner plastic center tube 32 thatextends the axial length of the filter media 30 between top and bottomend caps 14, 16. The plastic center tube is concentrically arrangedalong the inner cylindrical periphery of the filter media 30 andprovides support to the tube of filter media 30. Also, the filterelement 28 preferably includes an outer cylindrical wrapper 34 that alsoextends axially the length of the tube of filter media 30 between topand bottom end caps 14, 16. The wrapper 34 generally protects the outerperipheral surface of the tube of filter media 30 and may provide someadditional support. The wrapper includes a plethora of perforations orholes 36 to allow oil to pass through the filter element 28. Preferably,there is a notable absence of holes in a middle segment 38 of thewrapper such that incoming oil jetted into the cartridge mounting body12 when the filter cartridge is installed does not impact directly uponthe pleated filter paper media 30. Concentrically arranged within thefull flow particulate filter element 28 is an acid neutralizing reactor40. The reactor 40 is a generally cylindrical object that also extendsaxially between top and bottom end caps 14, 16 and is potted theretowith the same potting compound used to pot the filter element 28. Theouter periphery of the acid neutralizing reactor 40 is spaced from theinner periphery of the full flow particulate filter element 28 such thata cylindrical collection chamber 42 is defined therebetween. The reactor40 comprises two primary structural components including an outerreactor housing 44 and a venturi conduit which is provided herein by aninner venturi tube 46. The reactor housing includes a generallycylindrical side wall 48 that extends substantially the axial lengthbetween end caps 14, 16. However, near the top end, the sidewall 48 isintegrally formed with an axial spacer body 50 that engages the top endcap 14. The spacer body 50 includes a generally planar end wall 52 thatis spaced from the cover portion of the top end cap 14 via axiallyprojecting tabs 54. Between the tabs 54, the spacer body 50 definesradial through ports that communicate oil through the top end of thereactor housing 44. The planar end wall 52 also includes a centralopening 58 which is surrounded by an annular retaining wall structure60. The top end of the venturi tube is secured to the outer reactorhousing 44 with the annular retaining wall structure 60 either bymechanically or chemically welding the components together to provide aseal that prevents fluid from short circuiting therethrough. Thus, theinner venturi tube 46 is arranged concentrically within the outerreactor housing 44 and extends the axial length of the filter cartridge.The bottom end of the venturi tube 46 is installed over a cylindricalsnout projecting upwardly from the bottom end cap 16. The pottingmaterial used in the bottom end cap secures the end of the venturi tube46 to the annular snout 62 and/or plate portion 24 of the bottom end capto prevent oil from short circuiting therebetween. The cylindrical snout62 defines a central opening 64 that provides the main outlet port forthe filter cartridge.

With the venturi tube 46 concentrically arranged within the outerreactor housing 44, a generally cylindrical reactant chamber 66 isdefined therebetween. As shown herein, the reactant chamber is filledwith a bed of acid neutralizing particles 68 which primarily comprisecalcium carbonate material, which may be provided by crushed limestoneparticles or other suitable yet inexpensive acid neutralizing media toprovide a commercially practical filter. The crushed limestone particles68 provide a very inexpensive compound as it occurs naturally and isreadily available from limestone deposits (limestone technically is anaturally occurring substance that primarily comprises calciumcarbonate, but may also include magnesium carbonate and/or other traceminerals or materials). The limestone particles 68 are crushed to befine enough to provide a large surface area for calcium carbonatemolecules to interact with acid molecules in the oil, while at the sametime not being too fine so as to impede, block or prevent flow of oilaltogether through the reactor chamber 66. As oil flows through thereactor chamber 66 acid molecules contained within the oil will comeinto the contact with the outer surface of the limestone particles 68and thereby will react with the calcium carbonate contained therein andthereby cause a reaction to take place in which the acid molecule isneutralized. This effectively reduces the amount of acid molecules inthe oil thereby reducing the corrosive wear on the bearings or othersimilar metal surfaces of the engine, and can also provide for aprolonged maintenance service interval for an oil change.

To provide for flow of oil through the reactant chamber 66 the reactorbody includes one or more inlet ports 70 provided in the outercylindrical sidewall 48 and one or more outlet ports 72 forcommunicating acid neutralized oil into the venturi tube 46.

In addition, means is provided to prevent the crushed limestoneparticles and fines contained therein from entering the oil system ofthe engine. One such means provided herein is a bypass particulatefilter element 74 that is arranged in fluid series between the bed ofcrushed limestone particles 68 and the venturi tube 46. The bypassfilter 74 is a generally cylindrically member that surrounds the outletports 72 such that the bypass particulate filter 74 is arranged tofilter out limestone particles or fines contained in oil and preventexit of such limestone particles or fines into the venturi tube. Thebypass filter 74 may comprise a relatively fine felt type materialhaving a porosity smaller than that of the crushed limestone particlesor fines contained therein and may only extend part of the axial lengthof the reactant chamber 66. Alternatively, the bypass filter 74 can beof the conventional pleat-type filter paper media or can be a depthfiltration tube, or other suitable filtering media. As shown herein, aradial retention shoulder 76 integral with the venturi tube 46 andprojecting readily outward therefrom supports and retains one axial endof the cylindrical bypass filter 74.

Preferably, the inlet ports 70 are axially spaced from the outlet portsa substantial length of the reactant chambers such that oil entering thereactant chamber has a long winding path to flow through in order toflow through the reactant chamber. This provides for more effective acidneutralizing activity with smaller amounts of acid neutralizing mediumand a smaller overall bed size. As shown herein, this is accomplished byplacing the inlet ports 70 to the reactant chamber 66 approximate thebottom end cap 36 and the outlet ports 72 for the venturi tubeapproximate the end wall 52 of the spacer body 50. Other than the inletports 70 the outer sidewall 48 of the reactor housing 44 is generallysolid so as to maintain a relatively long flow path for oil through thereactant chamber 66 and the bed of acid neutralizing particles 68.

To further prevent acid neutralizing limestone particles 68 from exitingthe reactant chamber 66, preferably mesh screened material 78 isintegrally molded into the sidewall 48 of the outer reactor housing 44over the inlet ports 70 to prevent limestone particles and the finesfrom entering the cylindrical collection chamber 42 when the filter issitting idle (which could allow particles to be flushed through theventuri tube and exit the filter which would be undesirable). Similarly,preferably the venturi outlet tube is integrally molded with meshmaterials 80 over the outlet ports 72 so as to provide a backup for thebypass filter 74 to better ensure that fines or acid neutralizinglimestone particles 68 do not exit the filter cartridge 10. Thus, theadditional of mesh screen material provides further means or alternativemeans to prevent crushed limestone particles and fines contained thereinfrom entering the oil system of an engine.

The venturi tube 46 includes a narrowed neck section which provides aconstriction 82 thereby forming a venturi section along the venturiconduit. The outlet ports 72 are arranged relative to the constriction82 in a strategic location along the narrow neck area 84 such that whenfluid flows through the venturi conduit, fluid is drawn through theoutlet ports 72 via the venturi effect. Specifically, the main forcethat propels oil through the reactor is oil pressure. As the main streamof oil passes through the venturi or narrowed neck section, the oil isaccelerated. The increase in the velocity creates a low pressure areanear the one or more outlet holes formed in the venturi tube 46. Thispressure differential provides the necessary driving force. The venturitube 46 defines an internal elongated axial passage 86 which connectsthe cylindrical collection chamber 42 (through the spacer body 50) andalso the outlet ports 72 of the reactor chamber 66 to the main outlet 64of the filter cartridge 10 to allow for exit of filtered oil and acidneutralized oil from the filter cartridge.

With the foregoing arrangement of filter components, a primary flow pathand a secondary bypass flow path are formed through the filter cartridgeas illustrated in FIG. 11 and referring to FIG. 1. As shown with arrows,the primary flow path 88 passes through the outer cylindrical full flowparticulate filter element 28, is collected in the cylindricalcollection chamber 42, passes through the spacer body 50 of the reactorhousing and passes through the axial passage 86 of the venturi tube forexit through the main outlet 64 of the filter cartridge 10. The bypassflow path 90 also similarly passes through the full flow particulatefilter element 28 and is collected in the cylindrical collection chamber42. However, the bypass flow path 90 passes through the reactor chamberand bed of acid neutralizing limestone particles 68 contained thereinvia the inlet and outlet ports 70, 72. As noted above, the axial spacingof the inlet and outlet ports 70, 72 provide substantial axial andradial components to the bypass flow path 90 portion through the acidneutralizing bed. Thereafter, oil along the bypass flow path 90 isjoined with the primary flow path 88 in the venturi tube 46 and passesalong to the main outlet 64.

Flow of oil through the reactant chamber 66 is greatly restricted suchthat substantially more oil flows along the primary flow path then alongthe bypass flow path 90. This is for two reasons. The first is thatsufficient oil needs to jet through the venturi conduit provided by theventuri tube 46 in order to create the venturi effect for creatingsuction. Secondly, the acid neutralizing limestone particles 68 arepreferably crushed to be sufficiently fine to provide a large surfacearea for acid neutralization. An inherent result is that the finelycrushed particles also unfortunately provide a relatively largerestriction and pressure drop which could otherwise impede flow of oil.With only a small amount of oil flowing through the acid neutralizingbed, an acceptable pressure drop is maintained across the filtercartridge generally. Thus, if the bed of acid neutralizing particles 68were to become plugged or clogged, which could potentially occur withsludge or other contaminants becoming lodged within the bed, that stillwill not affect operation of the filter cartridge 10 as all of the oilis passing through the full flow particulate filter 28 for filtering outparticulates and oil still flows freely along the primary flow path 88.In a preferred embodiment, the sizing of the inlet and/or outlet ports70, 72 can readily be sized to provide for a maximum flow rate of oilalong the bypass flow path 90. Preferably, oil flowing along the bypassflow path is about 10% of that of oil flowing along the primary flowpath 88. However, it will be appreciated that the design may provide fora range of anywhere between about 5% and 20% of oil passing along thebypass flow path during operation.

To ensure that oil does not short circuit the filter cartridge, a bottomgasket 92 is provided that separates the unfiltered oil along the inletside from the filtered oil exiting the main outlet 64 as shown inFIG. 1. The bottom gasket 92 is of the radial sealing type and includesan L-shaped configuration including a radially inward projection 94 thatis trapped in a retaining structure 96 that provides an annular mountinggroove 98 at the bottom end of the filter cartridge 10. The retainingstructure 96 is integrally provided by the bottom end cap 16 along thebottom surface thereof. The bottom gasket 92 also includes an axiallyprojecting cylindrical sealing flange 100 that is adapted to be pressedradially inward by virtue of the higher pressure along the outside ofthe filter cartridge 10 against the corresponding cylindrical sealingsurface of the cartridge mounting body 12. The sealing flange 100preferably terminates in conically shaped cam surface 102 that directsthe flange radially outward over a corresponding solid sealing flange ofthe cartridge mounting body to provide for an interference fit.

At the top end of the filter cartridge 10 is provided a top end gasket104. The top end gasket 104 is mounted in an annular groove 106 providedby a pair of radially outward projecting flange walls 108 integrallyprovided by the skirt portion 20 of the top end cap 14. The top endgasket 104 is configured to be an axial seal and is adapted to form aseal along its upper surface. Accordingly, the top end gasket 104provides a radially outward projecting flange performing an axial sealagainst the cartridge mounting body 12. The top end gasket 104 thusprevents the ingress of foreign materials and also keeps the integralhandle 22 relatively clean and relatively free of oil to provide forcleaner removal and insertion of the filter cartridge 10 duringmaintenance intervals.

Referring to FIG. 11, an example of a cartridge mounting body 12 for thefilter cartridge 10 is illustrated. It is understood that the cartridgemounting body 12 is not part of the invention but shown to illustratehow the filter cartridge 10 can be implemented according to a preferredembodiment. The cartridge mounting body 12 generally includes a castmetal bowl or basin 160 which receives the filter cartridge 10. The openend of the basin 160 is enclosed via a top end cover 162 that may bethreadingly screwed on to the basin 160. The basin 160 has an inletpassage 164 through its side and an outlet passage centrally locatedalong its bottom end. Surrounding the outlet passage is a cylindricalwall that projects upwardly for providing a structure that can be sealedagainst. The filter cartridge 10 is installed into the mounting body 12by axially sliding the filter cartridge 10 into the basin 160 while thetop end cover 162 is removed from the basin 160. As the filter cartridge10 slides down into position, the conical cam surface 102 of the bottomend gasket 92 engages the top surface of the cylindrical wall 168 anddeflects radially outwardly around the cylindrical wall 168 such thatthe sealing flange 100 comes into radial sealing interference contactwith the cylindrical wall 168. While in this position, the sealingflange 100 separates the inlet side or inlet passage 164 from the outletside or outlet passage 166. Because the inlet passage will typicallyprovide a higher pressure than that experienced at the outlet passagedue to a pressure drop experienced across the filter cartridge 10, thehigher pressure along the inlet side will tend to press the sealingflange 100 into radial sealing engagement with the cylindrical wall 168of the cartridge mounting body. Another feature that helps guideinsertion of the filter cartridge 10 is the provision of triangularprotrusions 110 projecting radially outward from the skirt portion 20 ofthe top end cap 14 that are positioned just below the bottom flange wall108. The triangular protrusions 110 are angled such that the triangularprotrusions 110 facilitate and tend to center the filter cartridge 10when it is being inserted into the mounting basin 160. Once the filtercartridge 10 is installed, the top end cover 162 is screwed back ontothe basin 160 which causes axial engagement between a seal support ringportion 170 integrally defined by the top end cover 162. Again, thehigher pressure experienced along the inlet side or the inlet passage164 tends to exert an axial force on the top end gasket 104 to maintainit upward sealing engagement with the top end cover 162.

Referring to FIG. 12, the filter cartridge 10 of the present inventionis adapted to be inserted into a cartridge mounting body 12 that ispositioned along an oil circulation circuit upstream of engine bearings182 as a full flow or full pass type filter. The entire flow generatedby an oil pump is adapted to be flowed through the filter cartridge 10,then to the engine bearings 182 and then back to the engine oil sump186. Even though the acid neutralizing reactor 40 and bed of acidneutralizing particles 68 are arranged along the oil circulation pathleading directly to the bearings, importantly, not all of the oil flowsthrough the acid neutralizing bed 68 and in fact most of the oilbypasses the acid neutralizing bed along the primary flow paths 88.Accordingly, smaller particles can be used in the acid neutralizing bed68 to maximize effective surface area and acid neutralizingcharacteristics of the bed while at the same time not providing concernsabout being overly restrictive or preventing oil flow to the enginebearings due to the fact that the primary oil path 88 bypasses the acidneutralizing bed and facilitates flow of oil to the engine bearings evenif the bed of acid neutralizing particles 68 were to become clogged oroverly restrictive.

Assembly of the filter cartridge according to a preferred embodiment cangenerally be gathered by viewing FIGS. 2-8 and then FIG. 1 in sequence.Referring to FIG. 2, the reactor housing starts with or is built off ofthe venturi tube 46 as is shown in FIG. 2. The bypass filter 74 is theninserted over the venturi tube and then mechanically or chemicallyadhered to the venturi tube 46 in a region around the one or moreventuri outlet ports 72, as shown in FIG. 3 to provide a seal betweenthe two. The bypass element 74 may either be a depth filtration tube orpleat media. The assembled venturi tube 46 and bypass filter 74combination is then assembled into the reactor housing 44 either bymechanically or chemically welding the components, again to provide aseal as shown in FIG. 4. The reactor housing 44 is then ready to befilled with the reactant, which is preferably a material comprisingprimarily calcium carbonate material such as may be provided by crushedlimestone particles 68 as shown in FIG. 5. Once the reactor housing isfilled with the reactant, the acid neutralizing particles must beretained within the housing to allow the reactor housing to betransported. FIG. 6 shows one method of enclosing and containing theacid neutralizing particles 68 utilizing an annular retaining cap 112that is fixed into place either by pressing into place or by means ofbonding. An alternative method would be to dispense a potting materialto fill the gap between the venturi tube 46 and the reactor housing 44,thus containing the acid neutralizing particles 68. Once this is done,the acid neutralizing reactor 40 is complete and is ready to beassembled into a filter cartridge.

The assembly of the filter cartridge starts with potting the assembledreactor 40, the full flow filter element 28 (including filter media 30,perforated plastics inner tube 32 and perforated wrapper 34) in thebottom end cap 16, as shown in FIG. 7. As discussed above, the pottingmaterial could be plastisol, epoxy, urethane, hot melt, or othersuitable bonding material. The filter media 30 for the full flow filterelement is made from but not limited to pleated cellulous filter paper,synthetic material, glass or a blend of materials, or a depth filtrationtube, or other suitable filtration media. The outer wrapper 34 protectsthe full flow filter element and more specifically the filter media 30from direct oil flow as it enters the cartridge housing when installedas shown in FIG. 12 (see e.g. direction of incoming flow via inletpassage 164).

A similar potting material is used in the top end cap 14 to assemble therest of the filter cartridge 10 as shown in FIG. 8. The top and bottomgaskets 92, 104 can then be installed in their corresponding retaininggrooves 98, 106 that are integrally provided by the top and bottom endcaps 14, 16 as shown in FIG. 1. One or more vent holes 114 mayoptionally be provided through the top end cap to provide for pressureequalization above the lid gasket if needed.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1-46. (canceled)
 47. An environmentally friendly acid neutralizingfilter cartridge for mounting in a cartridge mounting body of an engineoil circuit for filtering particulates and neutralizing acid in oil, thefilter cartridge comprising: a support housing adapted to be mounted inthe cartridge mounting body, the support housing comprisingsubstantially no metal parts such that the filter cartridge can beincinerated; a full flow particulate filter arranged in the supporthousing; a bed of acid neutralizing particles contained in the supporthousing; a bypass particulate filter arranged in the support housing; apredetermined primary flow path defined through the filter cartridgepassing through the full flow particulate filter and bypassing the bedof acid neutralizing particles and the bypass particulate filter; and apredetermined bypass path defined through the filter cartridge passingthrough, in sequence, the full flow particulate filter, the bed of acidneutralizing particles, and the bypass particulate filter.
 48. Theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 47,wherein the filter cartridge includes an outer annular peripheryextending axially between a pair of axially spaced ends, wherein thefull filter has a generally cylindrical filter medium disposed insidethe outer annular periphery, and wherein a fluid inlet is provided atthe outer annular periphery and a fluid outlet is through one of theends, such that fluid enters the filter cartridge through the outerannular periphery.
 49. The environmentally friendly acid neutralizingfilter cartridge of claim 47, wherein the full flow particulate filterhas a generally cylindrical filter medium, and the bed of acidneutralizing particles is disposed inside the generally cylindricalfilter medium of the full flow particulate filter.
 50. Theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 49,wherein the bypass particulate filter is disposed inside the bed of acidneutralizing particles.
 51. The environmentally friendly acidneutralizing filter cartridge of claim 50, further comprising aconstriction disposed concentrically through the bypass particulatefilter, the constriction being arranged to create a pressuredifferential across the bed of acid neutralizing particles and thebypass particulate filter for propelling oil therethrough along thepredetermined bypass path.
 52. The environmentally friendly acidneutralizing filter cartridge of claim 47, wherein the support housingincludes top and bottom non-metallic end caps and a non-metallic acidneutralizing reactor containing the bed of acid neutralizing particlessecured axially between the top and bottom end caps providing axialsupport to the environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filtercartridge.
 53. The environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filtercartridge of claim 52, wherein the reactor body includes an outerannular wall portion, a central tube portion, and a spacer portion, thereactor defining a reactor chamber containing the bed of acidneutralizing particles between the outer annular wall portion and acentral tube portion, the outer annular wall portion defining at leastone reactor inlet port, the central tube portion defining at least onereactor outlet port, the central tube portion having an entrance openingspaced from the top end cap by the spacer portion and an exit openingcommunicating with an outlet opening formed in the bottom end cap, thespacer defining a passageway bypassing the reactor chamber.
 54. Theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 53,wherein the reactor body comprises a plurality of parts molded ofplastic material assembled together including an outer reactor housingunitarily providing the spacer portion and the outer annular wall, and aseparate center tube integrally connected to the spacer portion of thereactor housing to enclose a top end of the reactor chamber.
 55. Theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 54,wherein said a plurality of parts molded of plastic material furtherincludes a reactor cap extending radially between the outer reactorhousing and the center tube to enclose the bottom end of the reactorchamber.
 56. The environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filtercartridge of claim 53, wherein top and bottom ends of the reactorhousing are potted to the top and bottom end caps.
 57. Theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 56,wherein the full flow particulate filter includes a generallycylindrical tube of filter media surrounding the reactor body pottedinto the top and bottom end caps.
 58. The environmentally friendly acidneutralizing filter cartridge of claim 53, wherein the central tubeportion defines a constricted portion adapted to create a pressuredifferential across the reactor housing, the at least one reactor outletport arranged along the constricted portion.
 59. The environmentallyfriendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 53, wherein the atleast one reactor outlet port and the at least one reactor inlet portare radially spaced and axially spaced proximate opposed ends of thefilter cartridge thereby imparting substantial radial and axialcomponents on the predetermined bypass path through the reactor chamber.60. The environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge ofclaim 53, further comprising mesh screen material integrally molded overthe at least one reactor inlet port for preventing acid neutralizingparticles from escaping from the reactor housing.
 61. Theenvironmentally friendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 52,wherein the top and bottom ends of the reactor are potted to the top andbottom end caps, and wherein the full flow particulate filter includes agenerally cylindrical tube of filter media surrounding the reactor bodypotted into the top and bottom end caps.
 62. The environmentallyfriendly acid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 61, furthercomprising a bottom annular gasket externally carried by the bottom endcap configured and arranged to prevent oil from short circuiting thefilter cartridge.
 63. The environmentally friendly acid neutralizingfilter cartridge of claim 62, further comprising a top annular gasketexternally carried by the top end cap.
 64. The environmentally friendlyacid neutralizing filter cartridge of claim 62, wherein the full flowparticulate filter further comprises a perforated center tube supportingthe inner radial periphery of the generally cylindrical tube of filtermedia.
 65. The environmentally friendly acid neutralizing filtercartridge of claim 64, further comprising a generally cylindricalwrapper surrounding the generally cylindrical tube of filter media, thewrapper including perforations.
 66. The environmentally friendly acidneutralizing filter cartridge of 65, wherein the wrapper includes asolid unperforated intermediate portion separating top and bottomperforated portions, arranged and configured to prevent oil fromimpacting a central region of the generally cylindrical tube of filtermedia.